Geneva 2007: Volkswagen Multivan Panamericana and Caddy Life Edition

Wolfsburg, 06 March 2007 – Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is presenting the Caddy Life Edition and Multivan PanAmericana concept vehicles at the 77th Geneva Motor Show. Both of these concept cars are distinguished by their very special layouts, which are representative of the broad spectrum of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle product line-up. While the Caddy Life Edition with its lower ground clearance was designed for asphalt streets, the Multivan PanAmericana is predestined for off-road driving too.

CADDY LIFE EDITION- Sportier, more refined and comfortable; all concept car features will be available for production version

The Caddy Life Edition offers a striking visual image with its sports chassis, alloy wheels, chrome-trimmed front end and xenon headlamps. All add-on parts are painted in the car color, such as the bumpers, bumper protector strips, door handles and outside mirror housings. Dark tinted privacy glass rounds out the exterior appearance.

Inside, the Caddy Life Edition captivates with red leather upholstery that not only enhances the seats, steering wheel and gear shift lever knob, but also the interior door trim. The interior also contains nearly all conceivable convenience extras. These include the features: Sunroof, automatic climate control (Climatronic), multifunctional steering wheel, cruise control, navigation system, CD changer, central locking and parking assistance. These are details that, if they cannot already be ordered, will enrich the “normal” equipment option list of the “normal” Caddy Life over the course of this year.

Supplementing the high active safety level of the Caddy are control systems such as ABS, ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation) and MSR (engine drag torque control), the Electronic Stabilization Program ESP and Braking Assistant. Of course, standard on-board equipment in the area of passive safety includes driver and front passenger airbags and side airbags.

The Multivan name PanAmericana Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles intentionally calls back upon two record rides on the route between Alaska and Tierra del Fuego. The first ride, by extreme sportsman Joachim Franz, was his 22,880 kilometer tour from Prudhoe Bay to Ushuaia on a bicycle in support of AIDS assistance. The other was by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, which set a world record there in the year 1999 with drivers Andreas Renz and Matthias Göttenauer. It only took the team 15 days, 14 hours and 6 minutes for the non-stop drive in a Multivan syncro.

The Multivan PanAmericana now embodies these events in its name. Painted in a special paint, the concept car pays homage to the experiences of the strenuous tours. The vehicle’s potential for adventurous uses is clearly discernible in its exterior. Elevated by 30 millimeters and provided with shorter gear ratios, it presents itself as an extremely capable off-road vehicle on its Goodyear Wrangler M/T-225/75R16 tires.

With silver front spoiler and side skirts, as well as painted bumpers and adhesive laminate on the rocker panel in the same color, the PanAmericana evokes a robust and dynamic image. Darkened taillights emphasize the exclusive outfit, while the car name and map of the American continent on the sliding door provides information on the origins of the concept car’s name.

In the interior conditions are emphatically luxurious, among other things thanks to the leather upholstery. The six individual leather seats with armrests on each side invite passengers to grand tours. A special coating on the front windshield makes the privacy glass appear even darker. In addition, there is a sun guard on the windshield. Another striking detail: The lighted van entry steps with the PanAmericana name.

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